Vinnytsia

Vinnytsia  is a city located in central Ukraine. It is the administrative center of Vinnytsia Oblast and the largest city in the historic region of Podolia.During the Cold War Vinnytsia became one of the most important Soviet airbase and now the main Ukrainian Air Force Command is located in the city since 1992.

The city is known because during World War II,  Adolf Hitler sited his easternmost headquarters Führerhauptquartier Werwolf near the town and spent a number of weeks there in 1942 and early 1943.

But most of the tourists visit the city because of the Nazi atrocities that were committed in the region.In 1941, all 28000 Jews from Vinnitsa and its surrounding areas were massacred at the time.There were two mass shootings in Vinnitsa, on the 16th September, and the other on 22nd September. A subsequent massacre of Jews appears to have been of Jews brought in from outside the district.The 22 September 1941  massacre in Vinnitsa was followed by a third, also in Vinnitsa, carried out by Ukrainian militia who had been trained by the SS, and were commanded by a small group of SS officers and NCO’s.

The tour of the city also includes the Regional Museum, the Afghan War Museum and Slavic War Memorial Park. The Afghan War Museum is located in the red-brick bell tower. Exhibits include photos, letters and other artifacts representing Vinnytsia soldiers who fought in that war. The Memorial Park contains a large statue representing three different soldiers from World War II. An eternal flame burns in front of the statue.

Tourists can also visit theBaptist Church, one of the largest Evangelical Church Buildings in Europe, the State Academic Theater , The Transfiguration Ortodox Cathedral  built in 1758.